Amit Shah: Strategic Bengal Visit Signals BJP’s Early Push for 2026 Assembly Elections
Amit Shah: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began a significant three-day visit to West Bengal with a high-level organisational meeting at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Salt Lake office in Kolkata. The visit is widely seen as an early but decisive move by the BJP to assess, recalibrate, and strengthen its political and organisational readiness for the West Bengal Assembly Elections scheduled for 2026.
The visit comes at a time when the BJP is attempting to consolidate its position in the state and sharpen its electoral strategy against the ruling Trinamool Congress.
High-Level Organisational Review at Salt Lake
Soon after arriving in Kolkata from Guwahati on Monday evening, Amit Shah proceeded directly to the BJP’s Salt Lake office. The meeting, which lasted for over two hours, focused on reviewing the party’s booth-level preparedness, cadre strength, voter outreach mechanisms, and overall election roadmap for 2026.
Senior state leaders and party-appointed observers briefed Shah in detail on ongoing organisational activities, internal assessments, and ground-level political challenges. According to party sources, the discussion also included identifying potential gaps in the party’s strategy and measures required to address them well ahead of the elections.
BJP Leaders Express Confidence Against TMC
Following the meeting, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar publicly expressed strong confidence about the party’s prospects in the upcoming polls. He stated that the Mamata Banerjee-led government would be voted out in 2026 and asserted that the BJP is fully prepared to form the next government in West Bengal.
Majumdar also confirmed that all key organisational and political updates were shared with the Home Minister during the meeting, indicating a comprehensive internal review rather than a symbolic interaction.
Focus on Citizenship Amendment Act and Refugee Assurance
One of the major political messages reiterated during the visit was related to the Citizenship Amendment Act. Majumdar emphasized that the CAA ensures protection and security for Hindu refugees and clarified that beneficiaries need not worry about their legal status. He added that even those who entered India after 2014 would be able to live peacefully under the provisions of the law, reinforcing BJP’s outreach to refugee communities in the state.
Grand استقبال by Party Supporters
Amit Shah’s arrival at the Salt Lake BJP office was met with an enthusiastic reception by party workers and supporters. Chanting party slogans and showering rose petals, supporters gathered despite the evening winter chill. The atmosphere reflected a show of strength and morale as Shah interacted briefly with workers and acknowledged their efforts.
Earlier at the airport, Shah was received by key figures of the BJP’s Bengal unit, including state president Samik Bhattacharya and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The leadership presence underlined the importance of the visit for the state unit.
Strategic Meetings and RSS Coordination
The Salt Lake meeting was attended by 26 senior BJP leaders and observers, where detailed discussions reportedly took place on campaign planning, constituency-level analysis, and corrective measures. A senior leader indicated that these sessions were aimed at creating a robust strategic blueprint for the state elections.
During his stay, Shah is also expected to hold multiple closed-door meetings with BJP’s elected representatives from Parliament, the state Assembly, and civic bodies. Additionally, coordination meetings with state-level RSS leadership are part of the itinerary, reflecting the BJP’s emphasis on organisational synergy.
Press Conference, Temple Visit, and Worker Outreach
On Tuesday, Amit Shah is scheduled to address a press conference, followed by a series of internal meetings with party representatives. He may also chair core committee meetings to further fine-tune the party’s election preparedness.
Wednesday’s schedule includes a visit to the historic Thanthania Kali Bari Temple in central Kolkata, highlighting the cultural dimension of the visit. Later in the day, Shah is expected to address a large gathering of party workers at an auditorium in east Kolkata, focusing on motivation, discipline, and grassroots mobilisation.
There is also a possibility that Shah may visit the residence of a prominent Bengali cultural icon before concluding his visit, although this plan is yet to be finalised.
Early Signals of an Intensifying Political Battle
Amit Shah’s packed itinerary and the depth of organisational engagement during this visit make it clear that the BJP is setting an early tone for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. The visit reflects a combination of strategic planning, ideological messaging, and cadre mobilisation, indicating that the political contest in the state is set to intensify well before the official election season begins.